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Review and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 41.

The Morning Cometh

Review and Herald

Oct 12, 1911

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1911

The Morning Cometh

By Worthie Harris Holden

WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN
How large the hill beside you! How small the mount afar! The thistle by the wayside Seems greater than a star.
The woods of trial surrounding Obstruct the broader view, But ’twixt the barred branches God’s sunlight glimmers through.
To-day’s most grievous sorrow— A mountain unto man— Is but a cloudy moment In God’s eternal plan;
E’en through the woods a vista, And from the mount a view; For faith has e’er a Pisgah Of gloryland for you.
Grieve not, though sore afflicted, For sorrow dwells with hope; Behold the stars of promise, Through God’s great telescope.
Portland, Ore.

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PARTIAL CONTENTS

Vol. IV, No. 4.
Will Italy Follow France? Church and State in Modern Greece. Undermining American Liberties (Rome versus American free speech and free press). National Reform Principles in Russia. The Model Sunday Law. Religious Liberty Before the Inquisition. Compulsion or Transformation? Also 27 other articles profusely illustrated.
Vol. V, No. 2.
The Rulers of This World (25 illustrations). Shall Congress Prescribe Your Religion? Primary Purpose of the Sabbath. How Sunday Laws Have Treated Christian Men. Are Sunday Laws Police Regulations? Review of Lawyer Jackson’s Sunday Law Brief. Pictures of 25 world rulers, etc.
Vol. V, No. 3 (Vatican Incident).
Roosevelt Versus the Pope. Teaching American Principles in Rome. Have Individuals Any Rights? Undermining American Liberties (Romanizing school text-books, etc.). Attack Upon Protestant Missions. Church and State in China. Religious Intolerance in Chile. Sketch of California Sunday Legislation. The “Blue-Laws” Defended. Not of Force, but of Love. Also 21 other articles, besides illustrations of the World’s Parliament buildings. Photographs of the Vatican, the Pope, ex-President Roosevelt, Mr. Fairbanks, and Cardinal Merry del Val.
Vol. V, No. 4.
The Bible and Public School Libraries. Archbishop Ireland Versus American Protestantism. How Exemption Clauses Work. Sunday Laws and Seventh-day Baptists. A Modern Savonarola (Rome’s attempt to drive a Protestant Italian from America). The “Blue-Laws” Revived. Also 21 other articles with illustrations.
Vol. VI, No. 1.
The President at Mass. The Bible and the Public School. Trampling the Constitution. Union Labor and the Civil Rest Day. Putting God’s Name Into the Constitution. Significant Events of 1910. The Idaho Sunday Law. National and Individual Religion. Also 18 other articles of importance, besides illustrations.
Vol. VI, No. 3 (a Symposium).
Religious Liberty in Germany. England and Religious Freedom. Religious Conditions in Austria. Finland and Religious Freedom. Church and State in Portugal. Religious Liberty in Italy. Mayor Nathan’s Speech, the Pope’s Reply, the Mayor’s Rejoinder. Religious Freedom in Switzerland. Church and State in Sweden. Religious Liberty in Argentina. Observance of Sunday in Post-Offices. Status of the Johnston Sunday Bill. Many other articles and illustrations.

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Entering and Occupying

By J. N. Anderson

J. N. ANDERSON
The missionary forces of our denomination are extensively distributed in the various parts of the world. We have workers in forty-five of the fifty-seven mission fields, thus giving us potential possession of the larger part of the world. But while that is true, the fact remains that so far as actually occupying those fields is concerned, we have merely made beginnings — very promising and splendid beginnings, indeed, but nevertheless they leave to us to-day the real task of carrying the advent message to the world.
In this day of God's great preparation in which open doors have been set before us and solid foundations have been laid by God's advance guard, we have boldly and with commendable zeal and courage entered upon this work. This is well; all good beginnings are good as beginnings, but they must issue in successful endings. The success of every undertaking is determined by the way in which it ends.
The entire mission force of all societies in all heathen lands is approximately 20,000. Of that number our force would constitute probably not more than about the one-fiftieth part. These figures plainly show how very thin our ranks must be in the great heathen fields where a thousand million await the preaching of repentance and remission of sins.
The point in all this is that a great work lies before us. Jesus enjoined on his followers to pray the Lord of the harvest that he send forth laborers into his harvest. And this prayer carries with it the duty of training and sending forth missionaries to fully occupy the fields we have already entered, and reach on still farther to possess the fields unentered. No one can say how many men and women will be required to accomplish this great work, but we all know it will call for a large army of workers. The Buddhism of Tibet and Mongolia claims the eldest son in every family for the priesthood. Can we do less? Do we not indeed stand for the principle that every believer in the Lord is a member of the royal priesthood, a bearer of the advent message? Is it too much to expect that, on the average, every family be represented in the foreign field? It must be that the God who has opened all the great doors in these fields is also calling his messengers to enter them speedily to take possession for him. Are there not scores of young men and women upon whom the Spirit of God is moving, leading them to enlist in this great cause? We should have scores and hundreds of young people in active training for this world-wide enterprise. We should have not less than one hundred fifty students as prospective missionaries. This number of stalwart young men and women would be an excellent reserve from which the Mission Board could draw to fill the many urgent calls from all parts of the world.
Washington Foreign Mission Seminary.

A Godly Example in the Home

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE
The Lord has recently impressed upon me again the need of reminding Seventh-day Adventist parents of the important work to be done in the home. To all parents who profess to believe in the soon return of Christ, there is given a solemn work of preparation, that they and their children may be ready to meet the Lord at his coming. God desires to see parents take their position wholeheartedly for him, that there may be no perverting of the work he has given them to do, and that our children and youth may understand clearly the will of God concerning them. They are to learn to resist evil and choose righteousness, to turn from sin and become the faithful servants of God, prepared to give him their life's highest service.
There are few parents who realize how important it is to give to their children the influence of a godly example. Yet this is far more potent than precept. No other means is so effective in training them in right lines. The children and youth must have a true copy in right-doing if they succeed in overcoming sin and perfecting a Christian character. This copy they should find in the lives of their parents. If they enter the city of God, and rejoice in the overcomer's reward, some one must show them the way. By living before their children godly, consistent lives, parents may make the work before them clear and plain.
It is God's desire that parents should be to their children the embodiment of the principles laid down in his Word. Let them make it their aim to train their children for God. To keep the feet of their children in the narrow path will call for faithful effort and constant prayer, but it is possible to train the children and youth to love and serve God. It is possible to inculcate the principles of righteousness, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little, until the desires and inclinationsof the heart are in harmony with the mind and will of God. When fathers and mothers realize the responsibility resting upon them, and respond to the appeals of God's Spirit in behalf of this neglected work, there will be seen in the homes of the people transformations that will cause the angels to rejoice.
Let parents study the first chapter of the second epistle of Peter. Here is represented the exalted excellence of Bible truth. It teaches that the Christian's experience is to be one of steady growth, of constant gain in graces and virtues that will give strength to the character and fit the soul for eternal life.
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you,” the apostle writes, “through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and can not see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
It is the privilege of parents and children to grow together in the grace of Christ. Those who comply with the conditions laid down in the Word will find full provision for their spiritual needs, and for power to overcome. Feeling the need of that grace which Heaven alone can furnish, and which Christ imparts to all who seek, they will become partakers of the heavenly gift.
Those who have accepted Bible truth are to keep the truth circumspectly. They are to follow on to know the Lord, gathering into their souls the light of heaven. But they must not stop there. They are to communicate the light and knowledge received. The Lord expects parents to make earnest, united efforts in the training of their children for him. In the home they are to cultivate the graces of the Spirit, in all their ways acknowledging him who through the sanctification of the Spirit has promised to make us perfect in every good work. When parents awaken to a true understanding of their neglected duties, they will marvel at the spiritual blindness that has characterized their past experience. And when they become learners of Christ, they will be taught how to do their work acceptably.
There has been too little definite work done in preparing our children for the tests that all must meet in their contact with the world and its influences. They have not been helped as they should to form characters strong enough to resist temptation and stand firm for the principles of right, in the terrible issues before all who remain faithful to the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Parents need to understand the temptations that the youth must daily meet, that they may teach them how to overcome them. There are influences in the school and in the world that parents need to guard against. God wants us to turn our eyes from the vanities and pleasures and ambitions of the world, and set them on the glorious and immortal reward of those who run with patience the race set before them in the gospel. He wants us to educate our children to avoid the influences that would draw them away from Christ. The Lord is soon coming, and we must prepare for this solemn event. My brethren and sisters, let your daily life in the home reveal the living principles of the Word of God. Heavenly agencies will cooperate with you as you seek to reach the standard of perfection, and as you seek to teach your children how to conform their lives to the principles of righteousness. Christ and heavenly agencies are waiting to quicken your spiritual sensibilities, to renew your activities, and to teach you of the deep things of God.
Parents should be united in their faith, that they may be united in their efforts to bring their children up in the belief of the truth. Upon the mother in a special sense rests the work of molding the minds of the young children. But the father should feel more deeply than he usually does his responsibilities in the home. Upon him as well as upon the mother rests the duty of laboring for the spiritual welfare of his children. Business matters often keep the father much from home, and prevent him from taking an equal share in the training of the children; but whenever he can, he should unite with the mother in this work. Let parents work unitedly, instilling into their children's hearts the principles of righteousness.
The vows of David recorded in Psalm 101 should be the vows of all upon whom rest the responsibilities of guarding the influences of the home. David declared: “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. . . . I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave unto me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
“Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that hath a high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.”
Home missionary work is a most important work. It should be our first work to give that light to those related to us by the ties of kinship and blood. There should be no neglect on our part to do our utmost to bring them to an understanding of the knowledge we have received. “If any man provide not for his own,” the apostle Paul declared, “and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
Shall the people who have a solemn message to bear for the enlightenment and salvation of the world, make little or no effort for the members of their own family who are unconverted to the truth? Will parents allow their minds to be engrossed with trifling matters, to the neglect of the all-important question, “Is my family prepared to meet the Lord?” Will they assent to the great truths that are present truth for these last days, and be interested to see this message going to other peoples and lands, while they allow their children, their most precious possession, to go on unwarned of their danger and unprepared for the future? Shall those who, from the Word of God and through the witness of his Spirit, have had clear light concerning their duty allow the years to pass without making definite efforts to save their children?
Christ is waiting for the cooperation of human agencies, that he may impress the hearts of our children and youth. With intense desire heavenly beings long to see parents making that preparation which is essential if they and their children stand loyal to God in the coming conflict, and enter in through the gates to the city of God. Let parents arouse from their indifference, and redeem the time. Let them seek to correct the mistakes they have made in the past in the management of their children. Let those who have neglected their God-given work repent of their neglect, and in the fear of God take up their responsibilities. As they seek to magnify the law of God in the daily life, they will make that law honorable in the eyes of their children.

When Kingdoms Fall

By Mrs. E. M. Peebles

MRS. E. M. PEEBLES
THE Lord our refuge is, and strength; In grief a present help to save, Though waters roar and mountains shake, Though hills dissolve and earth may quake, Though fig-tree fail and olive cease, And flocks and herds yield no increase; Though sun and moon stand still, abashed At presence of thy glittering spear, When they behold the nations thrashed Who rise defiant without fear. Then shall they see thy hand at length Stretched forth to save whom mercy crave.
Our God shall come, and shall not keep A longer silence when we cry. When darkling demons hold full sway, And impious nations rise to slay, He’ll hear the righteous when they call; He’ll save his own when kingdoms fall.
“From Zion’s beauty God hath shined;” Tempestuous fires around him burn, Unbounding love he calls to mind, And justice deals to those who spurn. The wicked drink the dregs so deep. O sinner, fly while help is nigh.

Prevailing Prayer

By GEO. O. STATES

GEO. O. STATES
From Daniel's experience recorded in Daniel 9 and 10 we may learn valuable lessons concerning God's way of answering our prayers. He says: “I was . . . praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God; yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning,being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.” Daniel is here earnestly pleading with the Lord, and the angel Gabriel is sent in answer to his pleading. In chapter ten Daniel is fasting and praying, and the same angel appears to give him the desired light. These are lessons for the Lord's people in all ages, to teach them to hold onto the promises of the Lord.
The men and women whom the Lord raised up in starting the third angel's message believed they were fulfilling prophecy, and earnestly prayed to the Lord to open the way before them. They came to places where the way seemed hedged up on all sides, and then they earnestly pleaded with the Lord to open the way. Elder Joseph Bates, after spending thousands of dollars in giving the first angel's message, began publishing the first Sabbath tract with only a York shilling in his pocket. All the pioneers in the message saw close times, and were much in prayer.
Nehemiah's experience is a valuable lesson on earnest prayer. The Lord's great work had come to a place where, from a human standpoint, everything was going to pieces. The first chapter of Nehemiah records his earnest prayer and confession. The second chapter tells of his going in before the king sad. “Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? . . . Why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchers, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request?” Here God's cause had reached a crisis. How much depended on giving the right answer! “So I prayed to the God of heaven.” Before Nehemiah dared to make his request, he sent up a silent petition. This work was successful because those leading out were united, and looked to the Lord for divine guidance.
When the enemies of the Jews heard that the wall was being repaired, they did all they could to draw the people away from their work, and made fun of the wall, saying, “If a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.” God's work succeeded. What made it successful? “Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God.” They looked constantly to the Lord. If they had not, the work would have failed.
These lessons are recorded for us. “All these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” The Lord's work has always succeeded when his people have prayed earnestly, and depended wholly upon him.
Cedaredge, Colo.

The Two-Horned Beast of Revelation 13

By C. E. Holmes

C. E. HOLMES
For many years Seventh-day Adventists have taught that the two-horned beast of Revelation 13 represents the United States. Elder J. N. Loughborough states that “since the year 1851 it has been the faith of the Seventh-day Adventist people, on the authority of the prophecy in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation, that the power there represented, which would finally become a persecuting power, is the United States of America. . . . In the ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD, Vol. I, No. 11, May 19, 1851, appeared an article by Elder J. N. Andrews, claiming that the prophetic symbol of Rev. 13:11, 12, represents the United States.”
As far as I am able to determine, Elder Andrews was the first among Seventh-day Adventists to teach this interpretation of Rev. 13:11, 12; and there are no statements quoted in our publications since 1851 that indicate that any outside of our faith made the application of this prophecy to the United States. Recently, however, in looking over some old books, I found one in which the writer states very definitely that our country finds its place in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation. The book was published in Baltimore, Md., in 1839, by John Hersey. This was twelve years before Elder Andrews published his exposition of the prophecy. Under the title of “The Signs of the Times,” page 93, Mr. Hersey says:—
“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb.” This beast may be considered the unregenerate part, the secular or political power, of these United States. He rose up out of the earth, where there were few or no inhabitants. He had two horns like a lamb.
“Our character, when compared with that of Europe, has been lamblike—quiet and inoffensive. Whether the two horns refer to the royal form of government under Great Britain, and the present republican form, or not, is uncertain; if not, there will be a division of the Union, or a change in the form of government.”
While this writer did not interpret all the details of the prophecy exactly as we do, yet this quotation is interesting to us, showing, as it does, that we were not the first, nor were we alone, in teaching that this prophetic symbol represents the United States.
Commenting on the “mark of the beast,” he says further:—
“In a word, any violation of the law of God, however slight it may be, must be considered as a mark of the beast—it is sin. Let us carefully examine Christ’s law. Sin is the transgression of the law, and every departure from Christ’s commandments must constitute a mark of the beast.” (Italics his.)
As the United States has progressed, the predictions which we as a people have made, based upon this prophecy, are being rapidly fulfilled. It is becoming apparent to students of the Word that the conditions set forth in John’s prophecy of the two-horned beast find a striking parallel in the history of our nation. The following quotations show how some more recent expositors view this prophecy:—
“I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.” Those who have given this text study and thought maintain that this scripture refers to the United States, and I agree with them.”—T. De Witt Talmage, in a sermon upon this text in the Brooklyn Tabernacle.
“In the thirteenth chapter of the book of Revelation, the writer describes two beasts, the first of which he saw rise up out of the sea, and the second come up out of the earth, both of which were deadly enemies to God and to his church. The second beast had two horns like a lamb, but he spake as a dragon. Great power was exercised by this beast, and great wonders were wrought by him, so that the people that dwell on the earth were deceived by him. However lamb-like and innocent in appearance, this beast is imperious and intolerant in his actions. ‘And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.’ Without attempting any exegesis of this passage, or even saying that it has reference to present-day conditions, every thoughtful reader of the Word of God must have been impressed with the fact that we have come into a condition that is remarkably similar to that which is here described, in the multiplication of unions and orders of various kinds, both among those who sell and those who buy, those who employ labor and those who seek employment. . . .
“Whether this vision has any reference to present-day conditions or not, it surely is a striking description of conditionsthat have arisen among us.”—Tract on Labor Unions, by Rev. John S. Thompson, pages 1, 2. Published by the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
With our knowledge of the prophecies, we should energetically seek to warn the people of this nation, that they may be saved from the impending doom which is clearly set forth in the Word of God.
Takoma Park, D. C.

Along the Way

THE bread that giveth strength, I want to give; The water pure that bids the thirsty live: I want to help the fainting, day by day; I'm sure I shall not pass' again this way.
I want to give the oil of joy for tears; The faint make strong 'gainst harrowing doubts and fears; Beauty for ashes may I give all the way; I'm sure I shall not pass' again this way.
I want to give good measure, running o'er, And into angry hearts I want to pour The answer soft that turneth wrath away; I'm sure I shall not pass' again this way.
I want to give to others hope and faith, I want to do all things my Master saith, I want to live aright from day to day; I'm sure I shall not pass' again this way. —Selected.

The Holy Spirit Forms Christ Within

“LET the Holy Spirit form the living Christ in your heart, and all the Christ graces of character will appear.”

Our Literature

By Isadore L. Green

ISADORE L. GREEN, M. D.
THOSE who fail to read the REVIEW AND HERALD, week by week, or who read it carelessly, sustain an incalculable loss, with which nothing except a neglect of the Bible or the Testimonies can compare. Such are certainly losing their interest and confidence in the third angel’s message, or they would need no admonition to read and note thoughtfully the weekly progress of this world-wide missionary effort. Those whose hearts beat in unison with the laborers who are pushing the work with energy and sacrifice, that God’s Word may find its fulfilment in this generation,—the preaching of the gospel to the whole world and the establishment of his kingdom,—will find their spirits aroused and their whole being responding with an Amen, Lord Jesus, hasten the accomplishment of thy work in the uttermost parts of the earth.
They will look forward to the weekly coming of the REVIEW as the appearing of a most welcome instructor and friend. They will eagerly glean the golden fruit from every department, and be helped by the cheering, soul-inspiring, heaven-born thoughts. As they read the summaries of work done in both foreign lands and the home land, they can but marvel, and say as did Jeremiah: “Ah Lord Jehovah! behold, thou hast made the heavens and the earth by thy great power and by thine outstretched arm; there is nothing too hard [wonderful] for thee.” Jer. 32: 17. Truly the answer returned by Jehovah is coming to God’s people as it did to Jeremiah: “Behold, I am Jehovah, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?” Facts and statistics fully prove that there is nothing too hard for the Lord.
Those who have not read the reports from the biennial conference have missed a spiritual feast. As we read and enter into the blessed spirit of that occasion, our confidence in the speedy culmination of the third angel’s message is increased. To follow a detailed account of each day’s service and note that the same spirit had brought all these nationalities to see eye to eye, and had caused all to speak the same heavenly language, makes one appreciate more than ever the strong declaration of Paul in Gal. 3: 27, 28: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be neither male nor female; for ye are all one man in Christ Jesus.” A forcible statement was this of the fact that all are one in Christ, and that the closing message of mercy can and will unify all peoples, kindreds, and tongues.
To read the pages of our church paper without prejudice is an antidote for all divisions, strifes, and false doctrines; it is to see that we are on the home-stretch and marching on no uncertain orders.
We never ought to think of doing without our good denominational paper. In these days of peril when evil men and seducers are becoming worse and worse, and when the love of many is growing cold, we must keep in touch with the centers of the work, and not neglect the reading of the Word of God. The instruction we get from week to week in the REVIEW is profitable and helpful in daily living.
It is sad but true that those who regularly neglect to read the REVIEW week by week, also grow negligent in reading the Scriptures and allied literature, and too frequently turn to fiction and unprofitable reading. When this happens, the result is a certain departure from truth essential to salvation. Spiritual starvation and inanition are the result. Such a person, being unnourished, becomes a weakling, and, as expressed in medical phraseology, anemic, until a bad condition is reached from which there is no recovery. The spiritual appetite is easily perverted; that keen relish for the Word of God is lost. The spiritual needs increase, but not being aware of his condition, he neglects, almost unconsciously, the essential elements for spiritual uplifting and moral strength.
The REVIEW should be found in every Seventh-day Adventist family, and it would seem that if we were all working harmoniously and perseveringly to occupy the place designed of God for us in his vineyard, we would gladly sacrifice, if necessary, that we might have its weekly instruction and encouragement. Let us rally around our good church paper, and thereby strengthen the hands and hearts of those who are praying for heavenly guidance in seeking to have its pages filled with the choicest and best, and that which will be the most helpful to all its readers.
If we are anxious to know what is going on throughout the denominational ranks, which now encircle the globe, let us read the statistical reports, so faithfully and untiringly compiled. Any one who has been interested in these matters in a practical way knows that the preparing of statistics is a tedious undertaking. It is search and research, comparing and aggregating, calculating figures and relative values, until the head swims; yet this is frequently and punctiliously done. Week by week, month by month, and year by year the work goes on increasing in proportions, enlarging and developing, until one is amazed at the mass of important data. History is being made fast, and we are a part of it, willingly or unwillingly.
Brethren and sisters, let us stand by the ancient landmarks. They are safe guides leading to the heavenly port where God’s people are so soon to enter.
Watertown, N. Y.

Kindness to the Erring

By Eliza H. Morton

ELIZA H. MORTON
In these last days when Satan is working with all power to engulf souls in ruin, it behooves every one of us who has named the name of Christ to remember his own special weakness. We are not all constituted alike, and the open transgression in others, which in our eyes is almost unpardonable, may in the sight of the Lord be less heinous than an undeveloped evil which we cherish secretly.
“While we should not look upon sin ‘with the least degree of allowance,’ yet for the sinner we should feel deep sorrow, and seek by every means in our power to help him to overcome. The harsh, scolding tone of rebuke only tends to irritate; but the kind, gentle word may be sent home by the Spirit of God and enable the weak one to look heavenward, whence cometh strength. O to be kind, just to be kind! How much it means! No wrapping around ourselves of our own robe of righteousness, no isolating ourselves from those who we think have done wrong, will ever help them to do better, but will surely tend to make our own lives more selfish and narrow. Our advances may be met with coldness, our kindness be unappreciated, and all our efforts appear to be unavailing; but if performed in love, they will react upon our own hearts, making them more sympathetic and more open to the influences of God’s Holy Spirit; and we know that,—
“Snowy wings of peace shall cover All the errors of to-day When the weary watch is over, And the mists have rolled away.”
The spirit of criticism unmingled with encouraging words may be cultivated to such an extent as to crush out every noble impulse, every tender feeling. Robertson says: “Nothing chills the heart like universal distrust. Nothing freezes the genial current of the soul so much as doubts of human nature.”
What refreshing dew is to the flower, kindness is to the heart. Earnest, calm, and gentle words are better than a stony silence. We are all “tending to that quiet country where the voice of praise and the voice of blame are alike unheard,” and it is well to deal gently, for earth’s restless dream will soon be over, life’s labor ended, and in the great tribunal we shall cry, “Deal gently with us, O our God.”
Portland, Maine.

Nests of Pleasant Thoughts

By John Ruskin

MAKE for yourselves nests of pleasant thoughts. None of us yet know, for none of us have been taught in early youth, what fairy palaces we may build of beautiful thought—proof against all adversity. Bright fancies, satisfied memories, noble histories, faithful sayings, treasure-houses of precious and restful thoughts which care can not disturb, nor pain make gloomy, nor poverty take away from us—houses built without hands, for our souls to live in.—John Ruskin.

The Test of Character

By F. M. W.

THE real test of character is in the little things of life. History affords many illustrations of men who stood in some great crisis, but who went down before the smaller trials which entered their experiences. It requires a higher standard of honesty to refrain from misappropriating one dollar, when the theft perhaps would not be known, or if known, would be overlooked, than wrongly to appropriate ten thousand dollars.
The real test of faithfulness is in the use of the little things of life. The Saviour teaches this principle when he says, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”
But little danger threatens the Christian disciple in temptation to steal, to take human life, or to destroy his neighbor’s property; but every human heart is constantly tempted in the small things of life. If we are not tempted to slander our neighbor, we are tempted many times to misjudge his motives; if we are not tempted to steal, how often are we beset by envy of those better conditioned than ourselves!
The suggestion to indulge in the grosser forms of Sabbath violation may not appeal to our minds with sensible force; but in the little things of human experience, how many times do we find our own pleasure, and speak our own words on God’s holy day! We would not enter a court of justice, and deliberately take an oath to that which we knew to be false; but how sorely tempted we are sometimes to equivocate and misrepresent the real facts, fearing that a frank statement would bring criticism upon ourselves! We look with loathing upon the grosser forms of intemperance, and would consider it a great disgrace to be found under the influence of intoxicating drinks; but how often do we violate the principle of temperance in overeating, or in partaking of foods which minister in some degree to the results produced by the grosser forms of this vice!
Nothing could induce us to put forth our hands and take that which is not our own; but how often are we tempted in business relations to drive sharp bargains, and how negligent we are sometimes in the payment of just debts and obligations! The man who refrains from paying a debt when it is within his power to do so, manifests in his life the same principle which actuates the thief. We would not think of entering the home of a neighbor, and scolding his wife or children; and yet how many times are we tempted, and sometimes to the yielding point, to manifest this spirit in our own homes!
We need to give diligent heed to the little things in our experience. There is danger that we shall seek to lift our heads among the stars, seeking to contemplate the achievement of some great deed or the heroism we would manifest in imaginary crises, while our feet trample upon the flowers on earth, and we fail to recognize the ways and opportunities which God has brought into our lives for the perfection of the Christian character and the exhibition of the Christian spirit.
Let us be true to God in the great conflict in which we are engaged, always remembering that loyalty and faithfulness have their foundation in our daily, personal experience, and that we can be true in a great crisis only as we are true day by day and step by step through life’s journey. F. M. W.
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